Jamaica Plain Snow-Shoveling Murder: Two Convicted

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — A Suffolk Superior Court jury today convicted two men of shooting 21-year-old Kenny Lamour to death as he worked as part of a snow-shoveling crew in JP in 2015, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

After about three days of deliberations, jurors convicted Donte Henley, and Josiah Zachery of second-degree murder for Lamour’s Feb. 11, 2015, homicide. Jurors also convicted Zachery of assault with a dangerous weapon for shooting at – but not hitting – a Boston Police officer who pursued him during a foot chase near the crime scene and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Both defendants face life terms when Judge Peter Lauriat sentences them on Monday.

“The defendants acted in concert, as a team, to commit murder without any provocation,” Conley said. “The jury’s verdict reflects their joint participation and I hope Mr. Lamour’s family can take some satisfaction that both men will now be held accountable.”

Lamour and Henley were both part of a snow-shoveling crew organized by a non-profit agency. The organization was aware that the two men were affiliated with rival gangs, but each man had informed a crew supervisor that they were willing to serve together on the work crew without issue.

Instead, however, phone records showed that Henley plotted out the homicide. He exchanged text messages with Zachery expressing hostility toward Lamour and telling his confederate to come to the work site and to bring a gun. In later text messages, he provided Zachery with Lamour’s location and clothing description. Lamour continued to work, unsuspecting, as Zachery made his way to the scene.

At about 10:35 in the area of Centre Street, Zachery opened fire on Lamour, striking him once in the head and continuing to fire as the victim fell to the ground. Zachery then fled the scene on foot – pointing the gun at a pursuing Boston Police officer and firing one shot as he did so, prosecutors said.

Boston Police officers found Zachery on Centre Street carrying a black and yellow shovel and wearing sneakers, no gloves, and no jacket. A black jacket matching witness descriptions of that worn by the gunman was found in a nearby yard along with shoe prints in the snow matching Zachery’s sneakers; the resident of an area home told police that his black and yellow shovel had been stolen.

Several witnesses identified Zachery as having the same build and clothing as the shooter, minus the black jacket he wore at the time of the shooting.

The investigation continued in the days that followed, with text messages, cell tower records, and other evidence implicating Henley as a key participant in the murder. He was arrested on Feb. 26.

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday.

Previously on Patch:

JP Snow Shoveling Crew Slaying Trial To Get Underway

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch